For nearly 40 thousand years, art has been a creative outlet and a mode of liberating expression. Humans have historically expressed their emotions and thoughts through art when communicating in words was too tricky. APA describes art therapy as various art-related activities such as painting, sketching, sculpting, photography, used in psychotherapeutic interventions and treatments. (VadenBos, 2007).
So what really is Art Therapy ? Art is a liberating creative outlet, not confined to rules and boundaries. It allows the freedom of expression in the most literal sense. This is why art therapy is also called expressive therapy. The basics of art therapy are simple and focus purely on emotional recognition. It is ideal for expressing and working on inner conflicts and related emotional difficulties. The process of creating art is considered not only a healing process but also a transcendental experience. There are various forms of creative and expressive visual arts that can be used as therapeutic tools. Painting, doodling, pottery, and textiles all contribute as therapeutic instruments and are an integral part of art therapy.
Art therapy provides individuals an opportunity to express themselves authentically, creatively, and instinctively, leading to personal satisfaction and emotional restitution. It combines art-making and counseling into a therapeutic approach to primarily treat stress and pain. It has two main categories - art therapy and art psychotherapy. Art therapy reduces stress by participating in different art-making techniques like painting, sculpting, and sketching, whereas art psychotherapy is a clinical method that decodes an individual’s art by investigating the symbolic expression of unsolved issues and problems.
Art psychotherapy is a form of therapy open to anyone motivated to work on their mental health and personal growth. This form of therapy is not only helpful for people who are struggling with everyday mental health challenges but also, research shows that art therapy is especially beneficial to those struggling with more clinical mental disorders, for instance anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (Brown, 2012). Interestingly enough, art therapy is not bound to suit any specific age group, thereby being equally helpful for children as well as adults.
Furthermore, children who are struggling with learning disabilities and behavioral issues of any kind could also try art therapy as an outlet for communication and expression. Art therapy has also worked in prisons and rehabilitation programs and has proven to be healthy and effective for overall mental health (Tiret, 2017). Art therapy empowers individuals to perform better and increase self-esteem. It acts as an effective stress reliever and soothes our minds of heavy emotional conflicts and stresses. Art therapy has become an essential part of various mental health institutions because it promotes health, mental wellness, and growth.
There are also various misconceptions about art being used as a therapeutic tool and is often confused with art-making. Art therapy, however, is a legitimate form of therapy used with individuals undergoing mental health treatment and differs from art-making, which is purely art teaching and creating a specific finished product. The goal of art therapy is to help individuals connect with their experiences and emotions. It enables mindfulness and attempts to coax emotional expression free from constriction.
Art therapy is still in its infancy and has limited accessibility, training, and application in India. Universities scarcely offer courses that provide an extensive and thorough curriculum focusing on expressive therapy. Some courses and certifications are available in cities like Delhi, Bombay, Pune, and Gurugram, but there are no dedicated Masters or Bachelor’s specialization courses or degrees. Art therapy is one of the most prominent treatment techniques today worldwide and is well-established globally. Art therapy integration of expressive arts and therapeutic approaches have been known to positively enhance mental well-being.
Author,
Sakshi Sapra & Sanjana Kulkarni (co-author)
Clinical and Research Intern, PsychLine.in
References and resources for further reading
Brown, A. (2012). Psychological Benefits of Art Therapy . Counselling Connect . https://www.ccpa-accp.ca/psychological-bebefits-of -art-therapy/
Mishra, A. (2018). What is art therapy? Career Prospects For An Art Therapist. CareerIndia. https://www.careerindia.com/tips/what-is-art-therapy-career-prospects-for-an-art-therapist-022765.html
Tiret, H. (2017, May 25). The benefits art therapy can have on mental and physical health. Michigan State University. Available from https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_benefits_art_therapy_can_have_have_on_mental_and_physical_health
VadenBos, G.R., & American Psychological Association. (2007). APA dictionary of psychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.